"How can I, a seventh grader, change the world?" Well, you can't--at least all by yourself--but together we can make a huge impact. Here are some things to consider doing--from your couch, your home and in your community:
COMPLETE THE SDG CHOICE FORM IN CLASS: Think about the problems that interest you or bother you--ones that you care about--from the 10 U.N. Sustainable Goals (SDGs).
Then write the two SDGs that you care about on your "proposal" form and turn it into your teacher. You will be assigned to a group to work on reaching one of your goals.
With others who care about the same problem, decide how you can make a difference and help reach the SDG. Using the cartoons we used to teach the goals (specifically the "What can we do about it?" section), and the above link to "The Lazy person's Guide to Changing the World", decide whether you will...
INVENT a solution to the problem (a plastic material made from natural banana peels, or a low flush toilet) INNOVATE by improving upon something else already being done (Creating an app to help garbage be collected more efficiently, reclaim unused land to create a community garden to grow food for those who can't afford healthy food) CAMPAIGN for change by creating awareness about the problem, trying to convince others to change their habits or to get others to join in. (Start an organization of people to clean up pollution and petition community leaders to help, or start a campaign to convince parents to keep their daughters in school instead of marrying early).
Brainstorm ideas as to how you could make this idea a reality, help solve the bigger problem and reach the SDG. For example, if one of the big goals you picked was the SDG "Zero Hunger", your group could decide to focus on how to either INVENT, INNOVATE or CAMPAIGN to help solve hunger in our world. Click on the link below for your group directions.
Now, how can you help achieve this SDG? Where would you like your idea to take off-- in Pittsburgh, or in a particular country in the world? What could you do to ensure that the your idea would bring the world a little closer to realizing the SDG?
This is where your imagination and creativity come in! Think outside the box--but keep it real! Maybe you could start a volunteer organization to help. What would they do? Maybe you would start a new kind of food bank--one that would bring nutritious food TO the people in their communities. How would it work? Maybe you would start a foundation to raise money to feed children and the elderly. How would they raise the money? How could you reduce the amount of food wasted by restaurants and grocery stores?
Whatever it is, you have to pitch your idea to your group and convince each other that YOUR idea is the best one over all the others. This idea will be the one for which your group will come up with a game plan. It is very important to have a PLAN.
RESEARCHING FOR YOUR PROJECT: Part of finding a solution to a problem is knowing what other have already done or are doing, so you can build off of their work, or be careful not to duplicate it!
Using the online resources below, do some research on your project. Your group members should split up the work--each of you take one of the websites to research. Depending upon which website you have, you will be looking for different things:
Click on "Step #3: The Global Issues" to review the video and the comic for your group's SDG. Write down any information which helps explain the target goal your group chose to focus on.
NOW IT IS TIME TO PUT IT ALL TOGETHER--IT'S TIME FOR A CALL TO ACTION!
NEED INSPIRATION? CHECK OUT THESE VIDEOS!
http://www.globalgoals.org/films/
Kid President: "How to Change the World"
Kid President: "How Good Spreads
No Point Going Halfway
Real Change for Real People
Change the World in 5 Minutes
YOUR MISSION: TO CHANGE THE WORLD!
"How can I, a seventh grader, change the world?" Well, you can't--at least all by yourself--but together we can make a huge impact. Here are some things to consider doing--from your couch, your home and in your community:
The Lazy person's Guide to Changing the World
But seriously, this is your mission:
COMPLETE THE SDG CHOICE FORM IN CLASS: Think about the problems that interest you or bother you--ones that you care about--from the 10 U.N. Sustainable Goals (SDGs).
Then write the two SDGs that you care about on your "proposal" form and turn it into your teacher. You will be assigned to a group to work on reaching one of your goals.
With others who care about the same problem, decide how you can make a difference and help reach the SDG. Using the cartoons we used to teach the goals (specifically the "What can we do about it?" section), and the above link to "The Lazy person's Guide to Changing the World", decide whether you will...
INVENT a solution to the problem (a plastic material made from natural banana peels, or a low flush toilet)
INNOVATE by improving upon something else already being done (Creating an app to help garbage be collected more efficiently, reclaim unused land to create a community garden to grow food for those who can't afford healthy food)
CAMPAIGN for change by creating awareness about the problem, trying to convince others to change their habits or to get others to join in. (Start an organization of people to clean up pollution and petition community leaders to help, or start a campaign to convince parents to keep their daughters in school instead of marrying early).
Brainstorm ideas as to how you could make this idea a reality, help solve the bigger problem and reach the SDG. For example, if one of the big goals you picked was the SDG "Zero Hunger", your group could decide to focus on how to either INVENT, INNOVATE or CAMPAIGN to help solve hunger in our world. Click on the link below for your group directions.
CALL TO ACTION DIRECTIONS
Now, how can you help achieve this SDG? Where would you like your idea to take off-- in Pittsburgh, or in a particular country in the world? What could you do to ensure that the your idea would bring the world a little closer to realizing the SDG?
This is where your imagination and creativity come in! Think outside the box--but keep it real! Maybe you could start a volunteer organization to help. What would they do? Maybe you would start a new kind of food bank--one that would bring nutritious food TO the people in their communities. How would it work? Maybe you would start a foundation to raise money to feed children and the elderly. How would they raise the money? How could you reduce the amount of food wasted by restaurants and grocery stores?
Whatever it is, you have to pitch your idea to your group and convince each other that YOUR idea is the best one over all the others. This idea will be the one for which your group will come up with a game plan. It is very important to have a PLAN.
Here are some ideas to get your creativity and imagination going: What can I do to make a difference? More "Take Action" Ideas
RESEARCHING FOR YOUR PROJECT: Part of finding a solution to a problem is knowing what other have already done or are doing, so you can build off of their work, or be careful not to duplicate it!
Using the online resources below, do some research on your project. Your group members should split up the work--each of you take one of the websites to research. Depending upon which website you have, you will be looking for different things:
Click on "Step #3: The Global Issues" to review the video and the comic for your group's SDG. Write down any information which helps explain the target goal your group chose to focus on.
Our “Global Citizenship” class wiki: http://hmsglobalcitizenship.wikispaces.com/
Click on the graphic for your group's SDG. Click on "Facts and Figures" and "Why it Matters" to find information on your group's target goal.
United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Website:
http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/
Search for information from the web using your 2 to 5 key words that you wrote down for your "Sweet Search"
For researching in a “Google” way with better results: www.sweetsearch.com
Search for information using this library resource:
Power Library: http://www.powerlibrary.net/Interface/POWER.asp?ID=PL1604&START=List
Be prepared to share your presentation in class on your assigned date!
LAST DAY WRAP UP!!!
Try out your new knowledge in this SDG Quiz!
http://17goals.org/quiz-level-1/